For the year to 31st March 2022, Stepnell made a pre-tax profit of £1.25m on turnover of £90m. In the previous year it made £1.0m on £105m turnover.
Directors attributed the £15m decline in turnover partly to pandemic-related project delays and partly to being more picky about choosing what jobs to take on.
They say the books reflect “a controlled performance in a tumultuous year”.
Turnover this year is predicted to be back above £100m again, given that the order book is substantially full.
Managing director Tom Wakeford said: “We welcome these results after a challenging year for the construction industry. The market remains mixed with a number of our competitors struggling with a shortage of skills – and rising prices of materials.
“We remain cautiously optimistic that our business model, with a focus on lower risk terms and conditions, will hold us in good stead. Stepnell has a more diversified range of projects than ever before and this will position us to withstand market risks.”
The 155-year-old family-owned firm, which operates across central and southern England, reorganised earlier year. Brothers Tom and Edward Wakeford took control of Stepnell Group, including Stepnell ԭ and property and development interests. Their cousins Mark and Richard Wakeford took over Evoenergy, Brackley Investments, Whitecross PFI contract and Aspen Retirement, which were demerged from the group. [See previous report here.]